Evaluation of congenital rib anomalies with multi-detector computed tomography in the Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the congenital anomalies of ribs in the Turkish population using multi-detector computed tomography (CT) and to reveal the prevalence and distribution of these anomalies according to sexes and body sides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 1120 individuals (592 male, 528 female) over 18 who presented to our hospital with a suspicion of COVID-19 and who had thoracic CT. Anomalies such as a bifid rib, cervical rib, fused rib, Srb anomaly, foramen rib, hypoplastic rib, absent rib, supernumerary rib, pectus carinatum, and pectus excavatum, which were previously defined in the literature, were examined. Descriptive statistics were performed with the distribution of anomalies. Comparisons were made between the sexes and body sides. RESULTS: A prevalence of 18.57% rib variation was observed. Females had 1.3 times more variation than males. Although there was a significant difference in the distribution of anomalies by sex (p = 0.000), there was no difference in terms of body side of anomaly (p > 0.05). The most common anomaly was the hypoplastic rib, followed by the absence of a rib. While the incidence of the hypoplastic rib was similar in females and males, 79.07% of the absent ribs was seen in females (p < 0.05). The study also includes a rare case of bilateral first rib foramen. At the same time, this study includes a rare case of rib spurs extending from the left 11th rib to the 11th intercostal space. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates detailed information about congenital rib anomalies in the Turkish population, which may vary between people. Knowing these anomalies is essential for anatomy, radiology, anthropology, and forensic sciences.

The relationship between mothers' second and fourth finger lengths (2D:4D) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, head circumference, and 2D:4D) of the newborns.

OBJECTIVES: In our study, the relationship between male and female newborns' second finger (2D) and fourth finger (4D) lengths, height, weight, and head circumference measurements and their mothers' 2D and 4D lengths was examined. METHODS: One hundred and twenty mothers between the ages of 18 and 40 who recently gave birth and 60 females and 60 males newborns of these mothers participated in the study. Height, weight, and head circumference measurements of newborns were taken after birth. 2D and 4D length measurements of newborns and their mothers were made with a caliper with 0.01 mm precision which had. RESULTS: Right 2D:4D ratio (0.95 ± 0.08) of male newborns was found to be lower when compared with the right 2D:4D (1.00 ± 0.17) ratio of female newborns. Left 2D:4D ratio of male newborns (0.96 ± 0.07) was also found to be lower when compared with the left 2D:4D (0.98 ± 0.12) ratio of female newborns. Significant positive correlation was found between right 2D lengths of mothers of male newborns and newborns' weight and head diameter and between mothers' 2D:4D ratio and newborns' head diameter. Significant positive correlation was found between right 2D and 4D lengths of mothers of female newborns and female newborns' height, head circumference and right 2D and 4D lengths of female newborns. Significant positive correlation was found between left 2D lengths of mothers and female newborns' height, weight, and head circumference. CONCLUSIONS: We think that the data obtained in our study will provide basic information for obstetricians in determining prenatal measurements and for neonatal physicians after delivery.

The effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2016 and May 2016, a total of 60 students (30 males, 30 females; mean age: 19.2±1.5 years; range, 19 to 20 years) from Inönü University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Freshmen were included in the study. Separate measurements were made for the right and left ankle to make ankle proprioception measurements a month before the committee exam during their relaxed period using a device designed with digital inclinometer. The sense of ankle proprioception was measured at 10° dorsiflexion (DF), 11° plantar flexion (PF), and 25° PF angles with open eyes and closed eyes using active reproduction test. Salivary samples were taken for stress assessment and State Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I) was conducted. The same tests were repeated on the day of committee exam. RESULTS: Test results showed no statistically significant difference between the right and left ankle proprioception measurements of 10° DF, 11° PF, and 25° PF angles with open eyes (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found between the right and left ankle proprioception scores at the same angles with closed eyes (p<0.05). According to the Wilcoxon analysis conducted for the comparison of the relaxed and stressed periods of cortisol and STAI-I inventory, a statistically significant difference was found (p<0.05). The Spearman's Rho analysis showed no significant correlation between the right and left ankle proprioception scores and cortisol and STAI-I with open eyes, while there was a statistically significantly positive direction and low correlation between the same angles with closed eyes. CONCLUSION: Our study results show that the increase in the stress-related cortisol is negative for the ankle proprioception sense.

The evaluation of the effect of vaginal delivery and aging on anal sphincter anatomy and function.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vaginal delivery and aging on anal sphincter anatomy and function. METHOD: Asymptomatic thirty women were included in this prospective study. Group 1 included 10 women (age range: 18-50) who had never been pregnant. Group 2 included 10 women (age range: 18-50) who had vaginal delivery. Group 3 included 10 women over 50 who had vaginal delivery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of resting and squeeze pressures. It was found that sphincter thickness showed statistically significant difference between the group 1 and group 3, and also group 2 and group 3. There was not statistically significant difference between the group 1 and group 2 in terms of sphincter thickness. There was a positive correlation between the age and sphincter thickness in all groups. In terms of sphincter thickness and pressure findings there was a positive correlation between the squeeze pressure and external anal sphincter thickness only in group 3. CONCLUSION: The vaginal delivery did not have a negative influence on the structure and function of the anal sphincter in asymptomatic women. However, it was found that anal sphincter thickness changed strongly in a positive manner with aging.

The clinical effects of somatotype difference on isokinetic knee muscle strength and dynamic balance scores.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present the somatotype features of young individuals without any symptoms and to identify whether isokinetic knee muscle strength and dynamic balance scores are affected by somatotype difference. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 146 participants (88 males, 58 females; mean age 22.5±1.9 years; range 19 to 28 years) who had no symptoms were included in this study. Somatotypes of the participants were calculated using the Heath-Carter formula, and anthropometric measurements were taken from each participant. Knee flexion and extension muscle strengths at angular speeds of 90°/sec, 120°/sec and 150°/ sec were measured from the dominant and non-dominant limbs of the participants. Total balance, anterior/posterior balance, and medial/ lateral measurements were made to evaluate dynamic balance performances. RESULTS: Six different somatotypes were found. Endomorphic mesomorph was the most common somatotype in 56 participants. There was no significant somatotype difference in men and women for dominant and non-dominant knee extension and flexion peak strength values at angular speeds of 90°/sec, 120°/sec and 150°/sec (p>0.05). No significant difference was found between the balance scores of men and women who had different somatotypes (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Anatomic structure of the body, which is suitable for the sports branch, has an increasing effect on performance.

Effect of increase in cortisol level due to stress in healthy young individuals on dynamic and static balance scores.

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a condition caused by various factors and characterized by imbalance in body functioning, impair in nervous system, and tension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cortisol level, which increases in healthy young individuals due to stress, on dynamic and static balance scores as well as to present the results caused by high levels of stress. METHODS: In this study, 107 healthy medicine faculty students in their second year (who will take the same committee exam) aged between 19 and 23 years were included. The first balance measurements and saliva samples were taken 40 days before the committee exam, and this period was acknowledged as the relaxed period. The same students were considered for balance measurements again on the day of committee exam; saliva samples were collected, and cortisol concentration was determined. This period was acknowledged as the stressful period. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was given to the participants in their relaxed and stressful periods. Dynamic balance scores were measured with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Static balance scores were measured with One Leg Standing Balance Test (OLSBT). RESULTS: The mean cortisol level was found to increase approximately 9 times in stressful periods compared with that in relaxed periods. STAI, which shows state anxiety, showed an increase supporting this increase. In stressful periods, dynamic balance scores showed obvious decrease in all directions. In addition, in stressful periods, an obvious decrease was observed in static balance scores compared with those in relaxed periods. CONCLUSION: This study showed that stress negatively affected dynamic and static balance, even for short periods of time. We believe that our study will form a positive source and basis when correlated with long terms stress and balance measurements.

Quantitative Evaluation of Normal Aqueductal Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Using Phase-Contrast Cine MRI According to Age and Sex.

The aim of this study was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow quantification in the cerebral aqueduct using phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (PCC-MRI) according to both sexes and three different age groups to obtain normative data. Seventy two volunteers with no cerebral pathology were included in this study. Subjects were divided into three age groups: 20-34 years, 35-49 years, and 50-65 years including equal gender groups. CSF flow's quantitatively evaluation was performed with images that were obtained by 1.5 T Magnetic Resonance (MR) unit from cerebral aqueduct level on the semi-axial plan. Between groups, peak velocity (cm sec-1 ), average velocity (cm/s), forward volume (mL), reverse volume (mL), net forward volume (mL), and average flow over range (ml/min) values of current flowing through aqueduct and average aqueductal areas were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in CSF flow parameters among different age groups and between sexes (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in average cerebral aqueduct area between the age group of 50-65 years and the other age groups (P = 0.002). The average aqueductal area was higher in the age group of 50-65 years. Normal aqueductal CSF flow parameters evaluated with PCC-MRI don't show a significant difference by age and sex. We have achieved the lower and upper values of these parameters would be useful in future clinical studies. The size of aqueductal area may also be explained by atrophy-dependent ventricular system dilatation in the elderly. Anat Rec, 300:549-555, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Oral administration of hesperidin, a citrus flavonone, in rats counteracts the oxidative stress, the inflammatory cytokine production, and the hepatotoxicity induced by the ingestion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

The objective of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of hesperidin against oxidative stress, altered cytokines levels and histological changes in rats induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Rats were divided randomly into four equal groups (Control, TCDD, hesperidin and TCDD+hesperidin). TCDD and hesperidin were given by gavage, dissolved in corn oil at doses of 2 µ/kg/week and 50 mg/kg/day respectively. The blood and tissue samples were taken from all rats on the 60(th) day, to be analyzed for the determination of oxidative stress, histological changes and cytokine levels. The results indicated that hesperidin prevented oxidative damage caused by TCDD via decrease lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant defense systems. It also reversed the histological damage induced by TCDD. Although, TCDD led to a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-1ß levels, hesperidin treatment was able to normalize these values in rats. In conclusion, it was shown that TCDD caused adverse effects as regards cytokine levels, histological alterations and oxidative stress in rats. However, hesperidin treatment mitigated these toxic effects. These results suggest that hesperidin could play a protective role against TCDD toxicity.

Assessment of in vivo calculation with ultrasonography compared to physical sections in vitro: a stereological study of prostate volumes.

We compared three methods for the determination of prostate volume: prostate volume measured via transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS); the Cavalieri method for measuring physical sections; and volume by displacement. TRUS volumes were calculated by the prolate ellipsoid volume formula. Five patients underwent TRUS examination of the prostate prior to radical prostatectomy; specimens were measured when freshly excised. Mean prostate volume by fluid displacement, before formalin fixation was 52.8 ± 21.5 cm(3), and after formalin fixation 50.4 ± 20.9 cm(3). Volumes determined by the Cavalieri principle (point-counting and planimetry) were 47.8 ± 19.3 and 49.1 ± 20.5 cm(3); volume measured by TRUS was 42.9 ± 21.9 cm(3). Thus TRUS underestimated prostate volume by 21.4%, but excellent agreement was found between actual volume and point counting techniques. We believe that the classic ellipsoid formula is inadequate for determining prostate volume.